Gov. Perry opposes part of budget deal

Because budget negotiators needed one more thing to deal with, Gov. Rick Perry on Friday made known his opposition to a portion of a supplemental spending bill that would tap the rainy day fund to help fix an accounting gimmick.

House Bill 1025?s spending includes $1.75 billion to put state payments to public schools back on schedule. The Legislature two years ago slightly delayed one payment to help balance the books in the face of what turned out to be an inaccurate forecast of a massive revenue shortfall.

Pulling the money from the rainy day fund would help free up money to cover tax breaks sought by Perry.

Perry, however, noted that an earlier supplemental bill would use general revenue to cover the cost of reversing the accounting gimmick.

“With regards to HB1025, Gov. Perry does not believe that it is a good idea to use the RDF to pay for a deferral that has already been paid for using GR in a supplemental appropriations bill that the legislature passed and the governor signed earlier this session,” Perry spokesman Josh Havens said by email.

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, a San Antonio Democrat who is on the conference committee for HB 1025, said he respects the governor’s opinion but it’s a bit late to be bringing up an objection. The legislative session ends Monday, and a conference committee agreement is due on senators’ desks by midnight.